The physician self-referral law, commonly referred to as the "Stark Law" prohibits physicians from referring Medicare patients to hospitals or other entities in which they have a financial relationship. Unlike other regulations, the Stark regulations are more than just agency guidance – they have the force of law and violations of Stark can result in civil penalties, denial of payments for the services provided in violation of Stark, and exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, or any other federal healthcare program.

Tune in to this two part webinar featuring, Lisa Ohrin, Stark expert and principal drafter of the regulations issued and amended by CMS between 2005 and 2008. These sessions will benefit those new to Stark Law compliance, as well as those who have experience dealing with the complex issues that arise under the law. Ms. Ohrin will provide tips for conducting compliance reviews through concrete examples commonly faced by hospitals and other health care entities that have financial relationships with referring physicians.

Part 1: Stark Law 101: An Introduction to Physician Self- Referral
(Wednesday, May 25th, 2011 @ 2pm EST)

• The statutory and regulatory history of the Stark Law
• Implementation of Stark regulations
• How recent Stark revisions will affect your compliance program

Part 2: Stark Law – Compliance Tips and Practical Guidance
(Wednesday, June 1st, 2011 @ 2pm EST)

• Prohibitions on physician referrals and billing by health care entities.
• Key definitions that impact compliance with the Stark Law.
• Important and commonly used exceptions to the Stark Law and their application.

NOTE: Each session requires a separate registration

Who Should Attend:

• Hospitals
• Physicians and their staffs
• CFO, CEO
• Chief Compliance Officer
• Compliance Director
• Chief Risk Officer
• Director of Risk Management
• Director of Regulatory Affairs

About the Presenter:

Lisa Ohrin is a partner in the law firm of Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP. Ms. Ohrin has over 15 years of health law experience in a variety of settings and areas of concentration. Ms. Ohrin previously served as the Director of the Division of Technical Payment Policy with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In this capacity, Ms. Ohrin was responsible for handling a variety of statutory and regulatory payment issues, and was a principal drafter of the Stark II Phase III regulations issued and amended by CMS between 2005 and 2008, when the last significant revisions to the regulations were promulgated.

Click HERE to request a replay of Part 1